Lighting Techniques

In this video, I demonstrated the main lighting techniques used in film and television. The techniques are edge lighting, rembrandt lighting, butterfly lighting and three point lighting. These techniques are used in commercial films but I showed them in a talking head interview style, as this was the easiest to set up in the college studio.

Edge lighting just involves one light source, which is placed to the side of the subject so that it only illuminates half of their face or even less. The result is quite a moody image, and gives connotations of duplicity so is often used with characters that have a darker side (as their face literally has a dark half) or have negative intentions. This shows that lighting can give a more powerful meaning than simply to illuminate the actors.

Rembrandt lighting also only involves one light source, but it is placed at a fourty five degree angle to the subject, and about a foot above their head. The creates a simple but flattering effect, and is characterised by a small triangle of light underneath one eye. This lighting technique originated from the painter Rembrandt who used to paint his subjects with this lighting technique, and it got translated to photography and film.

Butterfly lighting also uses one light source, this time placed directly in front of the subject, above their head pointed down towards them. It is characterised by a butterfly shaped shadow underneath the nose due to the light being pointed down towards their face. It was often used by fashion photographers in the 30's because it is a flattering technique for a model's face, and it is also simple to set up.